Lester hits three homers, powers Tides to 2-0 start
The Norfolk Tides, and especially Josh Lester, couldn’t have begun their International League season much better.
Lester slugged three home runs Saturday afternoon as the Tides hammered Durham 13-4 before 6,518 fans in North Carolina, giving them two season-starting victories in less than 24 hours against the reigning IL champs.
Lester, a 28-year-old infielder who isn’t ranked among the Baltimore Orioles’ top 30 prospects, is making a strong case for inclusion. He already has four home runs to lead the IL. He drove in five runs and scored four Saturday as the Tides pounded the Bulls.
Hudson Haskin was 3 for 3 with a solo home run, scored three runs and drove in two. Cadyn Grenier also was 3 for 3, scoring one run and driving in one.
The offensive surge gave Norfolk plenty of margin for error. Starter Bruce Zimmermann struck out seven, giving up two runs and four hits in 4 innings, but fell one out short of qualifying for the victory. Eduard Bazardo, the first of four Tides to appear in relief, pitched 1 innings to gain the victory; he, Darwinzon Hernandez and Yennier Cano each held Durham scoreless.
Durham starter Cooper Criswell took the loss, giving up four runs — one earned — and six hits in 3 innings.
On Friday, the Tides ended a 15-year opening-day losing streak as home runs by Connor Norby and Lester propelled them to a 6-4 victory before 8,733 fans.
The last time the Tides had won their season opener was 2007 at Scranton/ Wilkes-Barre. They are now 2-15 in openers since becoming an Orioles affiliate.
Tides starter Grayson Rodriguez, one of baseball’s top pitching prospects, gave up three runs (two earned) on four hits, walked four, threw a wild pitch and struck out two in four innings.
Rene Pinto, who had three hits, slugged a home run in the first for a 2-0 Durham lead, but Norby answered with a three-run blast to left field in the second to put the Tides ahead.
Osleivis Basabe’s RBI single off Rodriguez tied the score at 3 in the third for the Bulls. But Norfolk went ahead to stay in the fourth when Baltimore organization newcomer Ryan O’Hearn hit an RBI single and Lester followed with a two-run homer to center.
The Tides’ first reliever, Kyle Dowdy, got the victory after giving up three hits and a run in two innings, but striking out three. Trevor Brigden took the loss. Joey Krehbiel earned a save, working around a walk in the ninth.
Richmond-area native Reed Garrett and Nick Vespi joined Krehbiel in pitching a scoreless inning for the Tides. Vespi struck out all three batters he faced.
Colton Cowser, the Tides’ leadoff man, scored twice and stole a base. O’Hearn, Jordan Westburg and Maverick Handley had two hits apiece.
The series finale is set for 5:05 p.m. today, and the Tides will return to Harbor Park for their home opener Tuesday against the Gwinnett Stripers, Atlanta’s top affiliate.